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SWA Safety ALERT RW 23 ILS KBUF

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SEVEN

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Jan 7, 2006
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Not sure if this has been posted yet.
Safety Alert issued to SWA Pilots regarding the ILS 23 KBUF


Safety Alert 2009-1
BUF ILS Hazard



SWAPA Pilots,

There is a potentially significant hazard concerning the ILS to runway 23 in BUF.

Information has been received indicating it is possible to obtain a significant nose pitch up, in some cases as much as 30 degrees, if the glide slope is allowed to capture before established on centerline. Pilots who are preparing to configure and land have the potential to experience abrupt pitch up, slow airspeed, and approach to stall if conditions present themselves in a certain manner.

This effect is the result of an earthen obstruction close enough to the ILS to affect the integrity of the glide slope signal. This has resulted in the issuance of an advisory given on ATIS which states that "the ILS Glide Slope for runway 23 is unusable beyond 5 degrees right of course."
When attempting to intercept the runway 23 ILS from right traffic, the ILS glide slope indication may read full deflection down. Just prior to intercept it may then move up in such as manner as to enable approach mode to capture in such a way as to result in a nose up pitch and loss of airspeed.

Southwest Airlines has issued a notice reading: "Until further notice, when executing the KBUF ILS/LOC Runway 23, DO NOT select Approach Mode until established on the localizer inbound."
This issue is being addressed on several levels in an attempt to address procedures, facilities, and communication regarding this matter. If you experience any issues related to this, please file an ASAP form and or call SWAPA Safety at SWAPA toll free.
 
This could be good information, however Colgan was turning on the LOC from left traffic, south of the localizer. But a APP mode GS capture and pitchup would explain a lot with this wreck.
 
Frightening...late at night... slow... tired... pitch up 30 degrees..


sure would be nice if it stated, beware rapid pitch up-- versus--- unusable beyond 5 degrees...




Not sure if this has been posted yet.
Safety Alert issued to SWA Pilots regarding the ILS 23 KBUF


Safety Alert 2009-1
BUF ILS Hazard



SWAPA Pilots,

There is a potentially significant hazard concerning the ILS to runway 23 in BUF.

Information has been received indicating it is possible to obtain a significant nose pitch up, in some cases as much as 30 degrees, if the glide slope is allowed to capture before established on centerline. Pilots who are preparing to configure and land have the potential to experience abrupt pitch up, slow airspeed, and approach to stall if conditions present themselves in a certain manner.

This effect is the result of an earthen obstruction close enough to the ILS to affect the integrity of the glide slope signal. This has resulted in the issuance of an advisory given on ATIS which states that "the ILS Glide Slope for runway 23 is unusable beyond 5 degrees right of course."
When attempting to intercept the runway 23 ILS from right traffic, the ILS glide slope indication may read full deflection down. Just prior to intercept it may then move up in such as manner as to enable approach mode to capture in such a way as to result in a nose up pitch and loss of airspeed.

Southwest Airlines has issued a notice reading: "Until further notice, when executing the KBUF ILS/LOC Runway 23, DO NOT select Approach Mode until established on the localizer inbound."
This issue is being addressed on several levels in an attempt to address procedures, facilities, and communication regarding this matter. If you experience any issues related to this, please file an ASAP form and or call SWAPA Safety at SWAPA toll free.
 
Q400 flight director arms both LOC and GS when APP mode is selected, but GS mode will not capture until the LOC mode is already active. I never had a Q400 FD/AP inappropriately climb to intercept the glideslope, either.
 
Anybody verify that this is a real alert, and not some snarky, in poor taste attempt at humor?
 
Q400 flight director arms both LOC and GS when APP mode is selected, but GS mode will not capture until the LOC mode is already active. I never had a Q400 FD/AP inappropriately climb to intercept the glideslope, either.

That can be said for all transport category autopilots. But on a 30 degree intercept the loc will begin it's capture about 2 dots out, sometimes a little more than that, and that enables the G/S to start it's capture. If there is really some earthbound obstruction causing a problem that would go a long way to explaining this.
 

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